1. Bites & Stings \xa0🐜🥋
Learn about the types of bugs in your area and take precautions.
•Dress to Repel:When outdoors, wear protective clothing like long sleeves and pants to minimize exposure.
Pro tip, ensure the clothes are light-colored so you can see if there are any ticks or other bugs on them.
•Use Repellents:Apply insect repellents to exposed skin and clothing to ward off biting insects.
•Inspector Gadget Mode:Check bedding, clothing, and shoes for insects, especially when camping or traveling. Bugs love a good hide & seek.
⚠️ It's also advisable to keep an EpiPen in your car & home in case someone is stung by a wasp or a hornet.
2. Plant Safety 🌱🕵️
•Know Your Poisons:Learn to identify which plants in your home and garden are safe and which can be toxic.
Here's a list of 9 common houseplants you might not know are poisonous.
•Fort Knox:Keep poisonous plants out of reach where curious children and pets can't access them.
•Teach the Mini Humans:Educate your kiddos about the importance of not touching or eating unknown plants or mushrooms.
3. Household Products 🏰🧹
•Kid-Free Zone:Lock up & store cleaning products, detergents, and chemicals out of children's reach.
•Cap It Like It's Hot:Ensure that childproof caps are properly secured on medications.
•Label Like Crazy:If it’s hazardous, slap a label on it that screams, “Not a snack!”, so there's no confusion about what's inside.
4. Medication Safety 101 💊🎓
•Rulebook Adherence:Always take medications as prescribed and follow the recommended dosage. Double-check before administering to children.
•Secure Medications:Keep medications in their original containers and store them in a high, locked cabinet.
•Expired = Expelled:Out with the old meds, and no, they’re not collector’s items. To prevent accidental ingestion, safely dispose of expired or unused medications. Your local pharmacy might accept them for disposal.
5. Pesticides 🐛🚫
•Label Literacy:Carefully read and follow the instructions on pesticide labels, including safety precautions—clues to survival are in the fine print.
•Trap ‘Em:Consider non-chemical alternatives like traps and baits for pest control when possible.
•Storage Smarts:Store pesticides in their original containers and away from food or pet supplies.
6. Food Safety 🍳
•Clean Hands Club:Wash your hands like a surgeon entering the O.R. before handling food and after touching raw meat or poultry.
•Cook Food Properly:Use a food thermometer to ensure that meat and poultry are cooked to the correct internal temperature.
•Chill Out:Refrigerate perishable foods promptly to prevent bacterial growth.\xa0
7. Fumes 💨🚫
Carbon monoxide is a silent, odorless gas that can be released by faulty heating systems and appliances.
•Detector Up:Place carbon monoxide detectors on each floor of your home and near bedrooms.
•Checkup Routine:Annual appliance checkups are like spa days—necessary and rejuvenating.
•Ventilation:Ensure good ventilation when using gas-powered equipment indoors, such as stoves or generators. What you can’t see can hurt you.
Knowledge and awareness are your best defenses against poisoning risks.
By staying aware and taking simple precautions, you can create a safer environment for yourself and loved ones.
